Death on the Job: Pakistani Worker Dies at 2034 World Cup Site in Saudi Arabia
Fatal fall at Aramco stadium sparks outrage over migrant worker abuse and raises questions about Saudi Arabia’s World Cup readiness.
Watan-A shocking incident has come to light: a Pakistani worker named Muhammad Arshad died while working on the construction of one of the 2034 World Cup stadiums in Saudi Arabia.
The incident took place at a stadium being built for Aramco in the city of Khobar, where Arshad fell from a high floor during a concrete-pouring operation. The conditions were described as dangerous and inhumane, sparking widespread human rights criticism against the Kingdom.
Arshad was part of a team employed by the multinational Belgian construction company Besix Group. He was not secured to an anchor point, which led to his fall despite wearing personal protective equipment. According to reports, emergency teams rushed to the scene, but he succumbed to his injuries. This marks the first documented death linked to Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup projects.
Shadow Over the Stadium: Abuse Allegations Tarnish Saudi World Cup Ambitions
The stadium, being built for Aramco, is one of 11 massive sports facilities under construction in preparation for the tournament. It is expected to hold around 47,000 spectators and is part of the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 plan to host the World Cup. However, the working conditions—described by former laborers as “horrific”—have once again placed Saudi authorities under scrutiny. Workers have reported enduring long hours, cramped living spaces, and extreme heat reaching up to 45°C (113°F).
To make matters worse, workers were allegedly instructed to delete any footage related to the incident and not speak to anyone about it, raising suspicions of an official cover-up. Human rights groups were quick to condemn what they described as the “systematic exploitation of migrant workers,” noting that the Kingdom’s labor rights record remains deeply concerning.
This incident comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is facing growing criticism over its ethical and logistical readiness to host a sporting event of this scale. Amid a lack of transparency and rising human rights concerns, international calls are mounting to hold the responsible parties accountable and to ensure the safety of workers involved in World Cup projects.
Will this incident mark the beginning of wider revelations about abuses behind the scenes of the so-called “Oil World Cup”? Or will it be swept under the rug like similar violations in past tournaments?
